A BLOG BY LINDSY READ

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

The Process

2008: Dan and I started looking at websites for local adoption agencies.
July 2010: Put ourselves on the waiting list for the next available orientation.
March 2011: Have not heard from agency. Call agency. Agency has still no plans for an orientation class and therefore is not accepting applications.
July 2011: Call agency again and inquire about fostering-to-adopt. Was referred to foster agency. Talked with our [now] case-worker and requested an application.
August 2011: Turned in our paperwork and made the public announcement that we are going to be parents!
September - November 2011: Got fingerprints and background checks and references turned in. Went to 30 hours of classes about being a parent. Had to move because our previous home, a loft downtown, wasn't kid-friendly.
January 2012: Our foster-home license arrived!January 31, 2012: We were offered a 2 month old, we wanted him, then he went to another family. Which was okay but we were still bummed.
February 7, 2012: My lips were chapped so I walked to Walgreens to buy some petroleum jelly to ease the pain. While I was in line, I got a call from our case worker. She told me to grab a pen. I didnt have a pen! I was at Walgreens! So, I bought the petroleum jelly (can we just call it Vaseline?) and ran home (literally) and got the whole story on this little guy. I wasn't sure at first. My heart had just been broken a week ago and I wasn't sure about our trip to France or if I was ready. Dan and I talked and I called his dad, who is a great counselor, and we made the decision. We wanted him. It still hasn't hit me. Last week, when we said we wanted the 2 month old boy that was available, I had to wait. This time, it's actually happening! It's happening! I am going to pick up a 5 month old baby boy. Right now. What an unexpected afternoon that was. One I'll remember forever.

And there you have it. My life changed during a trip to the store for some Vaseline.